KEN WIEBE, QMI Agency

WINNIPEG - On the surface and with all due respect to Columbus, a trip to Ohio in mid-September seems like an obvious consolation prize when you consider the alternative.

But when you have a split-squad game scheduled for two different cities on the same night, ultimately there are going to be some members of the Winnipeg Jets who won’t be able to experience the first pre-season game at MTS Centre against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

To their credit, those Jets who hit the road on Monday put a positive spin on things rather than worrying about what might have been.

“It doesn’t really matter, as long as I’m in the lineup for that opening night,” said Jets forward Tanner Glass.

“These games are about getting ready and getting to know the systems and getting to know my teammates.”

Although the atmosphere won’t be the same inside Nationwide Arena, the Jets will be putting on the authentic road white jerseys for the first time on Tuesday.

“I’ve been thinking about it a lot this summer,” said Glass. “Once the jersey finally came out, I could picture myself in it. I’m excited to get it going here.”

Jets winger Evander Kane had no issue taking the show on the road.

“It’s good to get a game under your belt before you play in front of the home fans,” said Kane, who was then asked about the reception the Jets were expecting in Ohio. “I’m sure we’ll get the old classic boos. I don’t think they’re going to be any more appreciative because we’re the new franchise.”

Having to wait a few extra days to experience the crowd at a Jets game doesn’t mean the players haven’t already taken note of the support.

“It’s outstanding. You can’t say enough about it,” said Jets winger Blake Wheeler. “The city is just on fire. Everywhere you go and everything you see is all Winnipeg Jets. It makes you feel pretty special to be part of it.”

Other Jets suiting up in Ohio on Tuesday include defencemen Ron Hainsey, Winnipegger Derek Meech and forwards Chris Thorburn, Jim Slater and John Albert, who played his college hockey at Ohio State.

After being part of the one-sided scrimmage in which Group B smoked Group A 4-0 on Monday, Glass couldn’t resist sharing a parting shot before hitting the road to Ohio.

“We were chirping them in the room and saying ‘we’re leaving you here, don’t embarrass us,’” said Glass.

Glass, Carl Klingberg, Tim Stapleton and Spencer Machacek scored for Group B, while Chris Mason and Peter Mannino combined on the shutout.